A SURVEY 


OF  THE 

JAPANESE  QUESTION 


CALIFORNIA 

BY 

J.  SOY EDA  AND  T.  KAMIYA 


SAN  FRANCISCO 
1913 


With  the  Compliments  of  the  Authors 
DR.  JU1CH1  SOYEDA, 

Honorary  Member  of  the  Tokyo  Chamber  of  Commerce 

MR.  TADAO  KAMIYA, 

Honorary  Chief  Secretary  of  the  Tokyo  Chamber  of  Commerce 


T 


A SURVEY 


OF  THE 

JAPANESE  QUESTION 

IN 

CALIFORNIA 


J.  SOYE.DA  AND  T.  KAMIYA 


SAN  FRANCISCO 
19  13 


A SURVEY  OF  1 HE  JAPANESE  QUESTION  IN  CALIFORNIA 

By  J.  Soyeda  and  T.  Kamiya. 

CHAPTER  T. 

General  Survey. 

Since  Commodore  Perry  knocked  at  the  door  of  Japan  in  IS. >2  an  i 
advised  her  to  enter  into  international  intercourse,  she  has  been  faith- 
fully following  in  the  footsteps  of  America.  In  return  Japan  has  been 
favored  with  many  acts  of  kindness  by  her  neighbor  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Pacific. 

Japan  improved  her  educational,  her  banking  and  currency  systems, 
and  carried  out  many  other  changes  in  her  institutions  following  the 
example  of  the  great  Republic  Sbe  also  sent  many  of  her  young  men 
to  be  educated  in  American  universities. 

The  refunding  of  the  Shimonoseki  indemnity,  the  good-will  shown 
at  the  time  of  the  treaty  revision,  and  the  services  rendered  during 
the  Portsmouth  negotiations,  have  drawn  Japan  still  closer  to  the 
United  States  of  America,  whose  name  has  always  been  associated  with 
justice,  kindness  and  humanity. 

Therefore,  when  the  report  of  the  Alien  Land  Law  having  been 
passed  reached  Japan,  the  spirit  of  which  was  discriminatory  against 
the  Japanese  no  matter  what  the  pretentions  in  appearance  may  have 
been,  the  whole  nation  was  at  a loss  to  understand  how  things  had  taken 
such  a turn.  To  say  nothing  of  the  great  consternation  created  on 
the  Pacific  Coast  among  the  Japanese,  the  people  in  Japan  were  much 
upset  and  could  not  help  showing  the  deepest  sympathy  for  their 
countrymen  across  the  ocean.  Political  parties  and  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce sent  out  men  to  express  their  sympathy  to  the  sufferers,  and  to 
place  the  subject  directly  before  the  American  people,  hoping  thus 
possibly  to  facilitate  the  negotiations  between  the  two  governments. 

Looking  a little  further  back,  after  the  exclusion  of  the  Chinese, 
there  was  a time  when  the  Japanese  were  welcomed  on  the  Pacific 
Coast ; but  since  about  1900,  and  especially  since  that  unhappy  attempt 
at  segregating  the  Japanese  school  children,  the  tide  has  turned.  The 
bar  placed  before  the  Japanese  coming  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and 
the  absolute  prohibition,  although  initiated  and  voluntarily  adopted  by 
Japan,  of  fresh  immigration  of  laborers  from  Japan  by  what  is  known 


3 


as  the  “gentleman’s  agreement”  of  1907,  were  the  most  revolutionary 
results  of  the  change. 

In  Japan,  the  nation  took  this  “agreement”  as  unsatisfactory  but 
unavoidable  for  the  time  being  and  has  ever  since  looked  for  better 
days  when  not  only  her  “face”  would  be  saved  but  when  her  people 
would  be  admitted  into  this  republic  as  equal  fellow  beings.  And  on 
the  American  side,  too,  the  classes  representing  other  than  a certain 
element  of  the  laboring  men,  such  as  fair-minded,  conservative  land 
owners  and  capitalists,  greatly  regretted  this,  partly  for  the  reason 
that  it  was  not  fair  or  just  and  more  especially  for  reasons  of  economic 
importance. 

Meanwhile,  gradual  changes  have  been  taking  place  in  the  status 
of  the  Japanese  in  America,  some  of  them  having  bought  a few  lots  of 
land  with  what  they  have  saved,  others  who  worked  before  on  the  rail- 
roads becoming  tillers  of  the  soil,  and  others  who  from  their  savings  as 
house  boys,  etc.,  having  started  stores  and  shops  of  various  kinds.  Such 
changes,  of  course,  were  the  reverse  of  conditions  existing  before,  and 
were  contrary  to  the  narrow  but  prevailing  sentiment  concerning  the 
subjection  of  the  colored  race  in  general. 

Unseen,  but  none  the  less  steadily,  changes  have  been  going  on  also 
with  the  American  people.  Politically,  by  abuse  of  democracy;  econ- 
omically, by  the  pre-eminence  of  labor;  and  socially,  by  the  gradual 
change  of  the  American  element  and  sentiment,  her  public  opinion 
and  state  policy  occasionally  deviating  from  what  they  used  to  be. 

Between  the  years  1907  and  1910  on  many  occasions  various  bills 
discriminating  against  the  Japanese  have  made  their  appearance  in  the 
Legislature  of  California.  However,  by  the  ultimate  prevalence  of 
moderation  and  fairness,  especially  by  the  prompt  action  of  the  Fed- 
eral and  State  Governments,  these  have  been  kept  from  actually  com- 
ing into  force.  Early  in  1913,  by  the  change  in  the  United  States 
Government,  by  the  activity  of  the  labor  unions  in  California,  and  by 
other  political  influences,  the  Alien  Land  Law  and  a score  of  others  of 
an  Anti-Japanese  nature  were  brought  before  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  California.  Affairs  became  so  serious  that  the  Secretary  of 
State,  Mr.  Bryan,  himself  came  over  to  Sacramento,  and  did  his  best 
to  stem  the  tide.  Unfortunately,  his  efforts  did  not  bear  fruit  as 
hoped,  and,  although  other  bills  did  not  go  through,  the  Alien  Land 
Law  was  passed  and  signed  by  Governor  Johnson  on  the  19th  of  May. 

The  Japanese  Government  made  protest  in  May,  June  and  July,  on 
the  ground  of  the  law  being  against  1 ho  treaty  and  violating  the  sense 
of  justice.  After  a great  deal  of  delay  and  consideration  a reply  was 
handed  to  the  Japanese  Ambassador  toward  the  end  of  July  by  the 


4 


United  States  Government,  which,  although  kept  in  strict  secrecy,  it 
was  reported  to  be  a most  comprehensive  one  and  couched  in  courteous 
terms. 

Laying  great  hope  and  trust  in  the  justice  and  fairness  of  the 
United  States  Government,  the  Japanese  in  America,  as  well  as  at 
home,  were  keeping  themselves  in  order  and  patience  all  this  while. 
It  would,  therefore,  be  a rather  difficult  task  for  the  Japanese  Govern- 
ment to  calm  down  popular  resentment  if  they  could  not  settle  the 
matter  satisfactorily,  and  it  is  reported  that  another  note  will  he  sent 
in  reply  to  the  last  American  communication. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Contentions  Brought  Forward. 

There  are  many  reasons  raised  for  the  exclusion  of  the  Japanese, 
but  the  chief  ones  may  be  summarized  under  the  following  four  head- 
ings : 

1 —  Political. 

2 —  Economical. 

3 —  Social. 

4 —  Racial. 

FIRST:  The  Political  Contentions. 

(a)  The  Democratic  party  coming  into  power,  changes  came  in 
the  way  of  dealing  with  the  subject,  because  it  had  been  laying  great 
stress  on  individual  state  rights.  The  progressives  in  California  turned 
a deaf  ear  to  the  words  of  the  President,  and  Mr.  Bryan’s  personal 
persuasion  was  of  little  avail  except  that  the  wording  of  the  Alien 
Land  Bill  was  made  more  diplomatic  and  the  clause  allowing  three 
years  lease  was  inserted  at  the  request  of  the  agricultural  community 
of  California.  The  bill  being  signed  bv  the  Governor,  it  fell  to  the 
United  States  government  to  decide,  and  it  was  placed  in  a very  difficult 
position.  Again  it  seems  to  have  placed  the  final  settlement  on  the 
shoulders  of  the  court.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  a question  of 
such  international  importance  should  be  made  a subject  of  party  poli- 
ties. and  not  be  settled  before  it  became  so  serious. 

(b)  Labor  unions  in  San  Francisco  were  ever  active  in  working 
against  the  Japanese,  and  so  as  not  to  lose  their  favor,  politicians  in 
California  had  to  support  the  bill,  with  the  exception  of  a few,  such  as 
the  Senator  from  San  Diego,  who  stood  for  justice  and  fought  so 
bravely  to  the  end.  If  the  Japanese  had  had  the  power  of  voting 
things  might  have  been  different,  so  that  their  helpless  situation  is 
much  to  be  pitied. 

(c)  Some  believe  that  democracy  must  be  a homogeneous  body,  so 
that  the  foreign  element — such  as  the  Japanese — must  be  excluded. 
But  if  we  turn  our  eyes  to  the  already  existing  heterogeneous  condition 
of  the  American  population,  composed  of  negroes,  Latins,  Slavs,  Jews, 
and  what  not,  the  argument  falls  to  the  ground.  America  is  strong 
enough  to  assimilate  different  races;  and  the  essential  feature  of  a dem- 
ocracy being  equality,  it  is  against  its  nature  to  be  exclusive  or  partial. 

(d)  It  is  much  to  he  regretted  that  fears,  quite  unfounded,  have 
been  entertained — especially  since  the  late  war — in  contrast  to  the 
sympathy  shown  Japan  before  and  during  her  life  and  death  struggle. 
To  say  that  Japan  is  a warlike  nation  is  absurd.  What  other  nation 
enjoyed  peace  for  so  long  a time  as  she?  If  she  was  forced  to  go  into 


6 


war,  it  was  solely  for  her  self-preservation  and  for  the  Far  Eastern 
peace.  If  she  had  not  stood  up  or  had  not  been  successful  in  the  late 
war,  what  would  have  been  her  own  fate,  as  well  as  that  of  China?  rl  he 
history  of  the  world  would  have  been  quite  different.  It  is  often  said 
that  the  Japanese  are  too  patriotic  and  loyal,  but  it  is  not  a mere  blind 
patriotism,  being  founded  on  the  obedience  to  authority,  law  and  the 
state.  If  the  Japanese  were  admitted  to  take  part  in  the  American 
body  politic  they  would  make  the  best  of  citizens.  It  has  been  officially 
shown  that  the  Japanese  in  California  are  the  most  law-abiding  of  all 
immigrants.  Yet  all  sorts  of  criticisms  are  piled  up  on  them  and 
groundless  fears  are  aroused  because  of  the  selfish  purposes  of  mischief 
makers  and  of  those  who  reap  benefits,  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
through  the  creation  of  sensations  and  preparations  for  war. 

SECOND:  Of  the  economic  contentions  we  have — 

(a)  As  the  population  of  the  United  States  is  now  of  considerable 
size,  and  as  there  are  undesirable  elements  coming  in  from  all  quarters 
of  the  world,  the  time  has  come  for  her  to  place  restriction  on  immigra- 
tion. This  contention  has  much  weight  when  we  consider  that  people 
of  extreme  socialistic  ideas  and  anarchistic  inclinations  might  some  day 
be  a cause  of  danger  to  the  republic.  But  the  restriction  should  be 
placed  equally  and  fairly  on  all,  without  any  discrimination  of  race  or 
nationality.  It  is  the  unfair  discrimination  that  is  most  resented  by  the 
Japanese  nation. 

(b)  Natural  resources  must  be  preserved  for  posterity.  Therefore, 
to  let  the  Japanese  buy  up  all  the  best  land  would  be  a disaster.  It  is 
true  that  resources  must  not  be  wasted,  but  the  Japanese  buying  a few 
thousands  out  of  hundreds  of  millions  of  acres  and  increasing  the 
resources  of  the  country,  should  not  be  discouraged,  especially  by  such 
a big  country  as  America,  having  such  an  extent  of  land  lying  idle. 

(c)  Some  arguments,  based  on  the  superiority  of  the  Japanese  as 
to  their  hard  work,  their  special  skill  in  raising  fruit  and  vegetables, 
their  extra  exertion  in  case  of  urgency,  etc.,  seem  to  give  rise  to  the 
fear  that  those  who  compete  with  them  must  surely  fail.  But  this  is 
an  exaggeration  of  facts,  for  the  lines  alone  which  the  Japanese  are 
making  their  success  are  quite  different  from  those  in  which  the  Ameri- 
cans are  working.  They  are  not  competing  but  doing  something  for  the 
mutual  benefit  of  both  nationalities. 

(d)  Then  comes  the  fear  of  absenteeism  being  encouraged  if  the 
land  is  entrusted  to  Japanese  hands,  the  landlords  all  going  eastward 
to  New  York  or  Europe  to  enjoy  their  time.  This,  also,  is  an  exaggera- 
tion of  actual  facts,  for  even  if  the  Japanese  be  excluded,  so  long  as 
there  are  other  people  who  would  lease  the  land  the  same  thing  would 


7 


occur,  if  it  ever  does  occur. 

(e)  Attacks,  such  as  the  Japanese  being  satisfied  with  lower  wages 
or  the  land  deteriorating  if  Japanese  come  into  a district,  are  quite 
contrary  to  the  actual  state  of  things.  Japanese  get  the  same  wages 
as  Americans,  if  not  higher.  They  are  paying  higher  rent  and  are 
going  in  steadily  for  improvements  on  the  land,  and  thus  have  in- 
creased the  price  of  the  land  in  many  localities.  Another  statement 
that  the  Japanese  use  their  OAvn  goods  and  send  their  money  back 
home,  is  refuted  by  the  very  fact  that  they  buy  the  land  and  make 
so  many  investments  in  America.  Granting  that  they  send  back  a 
part  of  their  savings,  the  amount  is  insignificant  compared  with  that 
sent  home  by  immigrants  of  many  European  countrias.  In  any  case, 
the  best  fruits  of  the  labor  of  immigrants  remain  permanent  assets 
of  America;  what  little  they  send  back  to  Europe  or  Japan  is,  in  a 
broad  economic  sense,  an  insignificant  part  thereof. 

THIRD:  The  Social  Contention. 

(a)  It  is  said  that  the  standard  of  life  of  the  Japanese  is  too 
low,  and  it  has  a lowering  effect  on  that  of  the  Americans.  Beginning 
as  wage  earners  on  the  lowest  steps  of  the  social  ladder,  the  Japanese 
had  to  be  frugal  and  live  simply;  but  they,  too,  know  well  enough 
how  to  enjoy  comforts  and  luxuries  if  they  can  afford  them,  and  there 
are  already  many  who  live  more  luxuriously  than  some  other  immi- 
grants. 

(b)  Then  it  is  said  that  the  status  of  the  Japanese  women  is  very 
low  and  that  they  are  used  for  heavy  work.  Let  it  be  here  remembered 
that  the  Japanese  woman’s  sphere  lies  in  the  home;  while  they  do 
not  take  part  in  social  activities,  yet  in  their  homes  they  hold  as  im- 
portant positions  as  their  American  sisters.  Moreover,  changes  are 
taking  place  in  this  respect  and  the  Western  ideas  are  fast  getting 
a hold. 

(c)  The  Japanese  are  said  to  be  immoral,  going  in  for  gambling 
and  other  vices.  This  may  be  true  in  a few  cases,  but  those  evils 
are  not  the  monopoly  of  the  Japanese.  Vigorous  measures  are  being 
taken  by  tin*  Japanese  themselves  to  remedy  all  such  social  evils,  and 
results  have  already  shown  themselves  in  many  localities.  No  human 
being  is  free  from  faults  and  shortcomings,  and  if  the  Japanese  are 
frankly  told  of  their  faults,  they  are  most  grateful  and  ready  to  rectify 
them. 

(d)  Then  the  Japanese,  it  is  claimed,  have  no  religion  and  are 
apt  to  break  faith.  To  this  it  can  be  replied  in  the  same  way  as 
above.  Here  it  might  be  well  to  mention  that  there  are  a great  many 
Christians  among  the  Japanese  population  in  America. 


8 


FOURTH : And  the  last,  but  not  the  least,  comes  the  contention 

of  race. 

(a)  The  most  common  one  is  the  non-assimilation  theory,  and  the 
supporters  of  this  theory  declare  that  true  assimilation  cannot  he 
effected  except  by  intermarriage.  But  if  thought  and  sentiment  agree, 
different  races  can  assimilate.  Supposing  intermarriage  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  assimilation;  there  are  already  many  cases  of  inter- 
marriage between  the  Japanese  and  the  Americans;  and  there  would 
he  many  more  if  it  were  not  for  the  artificial  and  unjust  restrictions 
placed  by  law  and  usage.  In  truth,  the  Japanese  are  the  most  assimi- 
lative, and  their  whole  history  is  that  of  assimilation  of  different 
ideas  and  civilization.  It  is  an  admitted  fact  that  Japan  has  gone 
far  to  assimilate  the  civilization  of  the  East  with  that  of  the  West,  and 
her  example  is  being  followed  by  other  nations  in  the  Orient.  If  any- 
body entertains  doubts  on  this  point,  it  would  be  well  for  him  to 
have  just  a look  at  the  Japanese  children  born  in  the  United  States. 
They  are  Americans  in  every  respect  except  color.  Before  passing 
judgment  as  to  the  assimilability  of  any  race  we  must  allow  at  least 
a generation. 

(b)  It  is  said  “the  United  States  has  had  too  much  of  the  racial 
question,  especially  in  the  solution  of  the  negro  problem.  Moreover 
the  negro  has  nothing  behind  him,  unlike  the  Japanese  who  are  backed 
by  a strong  government  and  nation”.  To  this  let  it  be  repeated  that 
the  power  of  assimilation  of  the  United  States  is  strong  enough  to  solve 
any  race  question ; and  surely  the  country  that  even  fought  for  the 
negroes  cannot  deny  the  admission  of  the  Japanese  on  mere  racial 
grounds. 

(c)  Some  say  that  the  United  States  has  already  too  many  people 
from  Europe,  and  that  after  the  Panama  Canal  is  opened  in  1915, 
the  country  may  be  over-flooded  with  European  immigrants.  This 
may  be  true,  but  this  cannot  be  given  as  a reason  for  placing  restric- 
tions upon  and  excluding  the  Japanese  who  are  already  in  the  States, 
unless  it  is  proved  that  the  Japanese  are  far  more  undesirable  than 
other  immigrants,  which  is  unwarranted  by  actual  facts.  Is  it  a wise 
and  patriotic  policy  to  exclude  the  intelligent,  orderly  and  loyal  ele- 
ments and  welcome  those  who  are  ignorant,  idle  and  anarchistic? 
It  must  also  be  remembered  that  unlimited  natural  resources  and  a 
boundless  tract  of  land  in  the  United  States  afford  ample  room  for  a 
great  number  of  people,  and  it  is  better  for  her  and  for  the  general 
interest  of  humanity  that  her  resources  be  opened  and  utilized. 

(d)  It  is  admitted  that  the  Japanese  are  not  inferior,  but  are 
different,  and,  it  is  deemed  better  to  avoid  intermingling,  and  if  they 


9 


intermingle  they  must  become  thoroughly  Americanized.  To  keep  the 
different  races  apart  is  an  impossibility  in  this  day  of  rapid  and  easy 
communication.  Of  course,  no  exception  can  be  raised  to  the  placing 
of  strict  tests  for  admission,  provided  they  are  not  discriminatory. 


10 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  Solution. 

FIRST:  Then-  must  be  a better  understanding  of  the  question 
bv  tin1  I'nited  States.  Even  the  people  in  California  do  not  view  the 
matter  in  a true  and  comprehensive  manner,  and  therefore  it  is  no 
wonder  the  people  in  the  Middle  West  and  Eastern  States,  being  far 
away  and  less  directly  concerned,  are  still  less  informed,  although 
they  may  entertain  a better  feeling  toward  the  Japanese  in  general. 
It  is  natural  that  tin*  general  American  public  should  believe  more 
readily  in  what  their  own  people  say  than  what  is  told  by  foreigners, 
and  here  is  the  danger  of  mistaken  ideas  and  distorted  facts  influencing 
tin*  minds  of  the  people  in  general. 

Therefore,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  Press  and  the 
public  opinion  of  tin*  West  should  be  supplied  with  true  and  honest 
facts,  so  as  to  avoid  misrepresentation  being  spread  out  to  the  other 
states.  The  people,  being  the  leading  power  and  each  state  hav- 
ing constitutional  autonomy,  the  public  opinion  in  general,  and  especial- 
ly in  California,  must  be  well  guided,  in  order  to  save  the  East  from 
falling  into  errors  and  to  facilitate  the  actions  of  the  Federal  govern- 
ment in  matters  of  international  relations.  The  easiest  way  to  solve 
the  question  would  be  that  of  naturalization,  although  this  suggestion 
had  better  come  from  the  American  side  and  with  necessary  safeguards. 
As  regards  other  questions  constitutionally  entrusted  to  the  Federal 
government,  such  as  the  due  modification  or  perfection  of  treaties  and 
conventions,  there  is  no  room  for  doubt  that  the  United  States  govern- 
ment will  do  its  utmost  to  settle  the  matter  with  honor  and  satisfaction 
to  both  countries. 

SECOND : There  are  many  things  to  be  done  by  the  Japanese 

government,  and  no  doubt  it  has  been  doing  its  best  to  protect  its 
people  and  to  guard  the  national  honor.  If  the  repeated  protests 
which  were  based  cn  justice  and  fairness  could  pave  the  way  to  the 
revision  or  amendment  of  the  treaty  between  the  two  countries  or  of 
the  Federal  and  State  laws,  so  as  to  remove  all  causes  of  doubt,  if 
any,  as  to  the  entire  equality  of  the  rights  of  both  peoples,  it  would 
surely  give  inexpressible  satisfaction  and  boimdless  gratitude  to 
the  Japanese  government  and  the  people.  The  popular  feeing  in  Japan 
being  so  strong  and  unanimous  as  regards  the  Californian  question, 
the  Japanese  government  would  be  placed  in  a very  delicate  and  dif- 
ficult position  unless  some  way  be  found  to  relieve  the  situation. 

Some  even  attack  the  Japanese  government,  saying  that  in  the 
endeavor  to  carry  out  the  Gentleman’s  Agreement  in  a faithful  man- 
ner, it  has  been  unduly  strict,  and  believe  that  a relaxation  of  the 


11 


enforcement  can  be  made  without  breaking  faith  with  the  United  States 
government.  It  must  be  admitted  that  the  sending  out  of  families  is 
most  necessary  for  the  formation  of  home  life,  and  will  help  much 
to  improve  the  condition  of  the  Japanese  in  America  as  regards  their 
daily  living  and  mental  sobriety.  Then  it  may  be  advisable  that  the 
Japanese  laws,  such  as  the  Alien  Land  Ownership  Law,  the  Law  of 
Domicile,  etc.,  be  amended  cn  broader  lines  although  no  law  in  Japan 
is  in  any  way  discriminatory.  At  the  same  time  it  is  necessary  that 
more  supervision  and  discretion  be  exercised  over  people  going  abroad ; 
and  to  go  still  further  to  the  foundation,  the  system  of  popular  educa- 
tion itself  should  be  improved,  with  the  view  that  the  people  may 
be  freed  fi’om  difficulties  and  obstacles  after  they  have  gone  abroad. 
Emigration  of  people  to  other  places  than  the  United  States  must  also 
be  investigated;  and  if  by  commercial  and  industrial  progress  more 
people  could  be  kept  at  home,  as  was  so  successfully  accomplished  by 
Germany,  an  ideal  state  of  things  would  be  reached. 

THIRD:  The  two  governments  of  the  United  States  and  Japan 

we  know,  of  course,  are  on  the  best  terms  of  friendship  and  good  will ; 
but  to  leave  this  question  unsolved  and  let  it  appear  from  time  to 
time  and  supply  material  for  the  yellow  press  and  petty  politicians  in 
both  countries  to  play  with,  is  a matter  beset  with  great  danger.  For 
the  lasting  interest  of  both  countries  such  a thing  must  be  avoided 
by  all  means.  If  the  two  governments  cannot  come  to  an  agreement 
it  may  be  advisable  to  submit  it  to  arbitration.  At  any  rate  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  the  question  be  settled  once  and  for  all  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment. 

FOURTH:  There  is  much  to  be  done  bv  the  Japanese  themselves, 
both  in  America  and  at  home.  In  the  first  place  those  who  are  already 
in  the  States  must  strive  more  and  more  for  assimilation  with  the 
people  and  observance  of  the  laws  and  customs  of  the  land.  They 
must  work  strenuously  to  remedy  their  faults,  and  do  nothing  to 
startle  or  irritate  the  people  with  whom  they  are  living.  Nothing 
must  be  done  which  would  furnish  material  for  attack,  but  any  criti- 
cism, if  well  founded  and  reasonable,  must  l>e  welcomed.  In  case 
they  have  any  grievances  or  infringements  of  their  rights  concerning 
ownership  of  land,  leases  or  naturalization,  they  are  constitutionally 
justified  in  appealing  to  a judicature.  If  they  are  at  any  time  denied 
equal  social  treatment,  without  any  tangible  ground,  they  are  entitled 
to  seek  redress;  but  if  there  be  any  justifiable  ground  they  must  rectify 
their  conduct.  Self  help  is,  after  all,  the  best  help. 

Whatever  happens,  the  children  born  in  the  States  must  be  care- 
fully looked  after,  so  that  their  future  may  be  assured  and  they  become 


12 


good  citizens  of  the  great  Republic.  We  must  not  only  think  broadly, 
but  look  far  into  the  distant  future. 

To  return  to  the  question  at  hand ; a part  of  the  unnecessary  ex- 
penses incurred  by  the  Japanese  for  clothes  and  food  might  far  better 
be  used  for  the  betterment  of  their  dwellings  and  sanitation.  Their 
living  in  segregation  or  near  the  Chinese  and  frequenting  Chinese 
gambling  houses  must  be  stopped,  while  more  church-going  and  rest 
on  Sundays  should  be  encouraged.  Noisy  Buddistic  rituals,  playing 
of  Samisens,  keeping  of  tea  houses  which  arouse  opposition  and  afford 
room  for  criticism,  might  better  be  avoided.  Studying  the  language, 
customs  and  manners  of  the  Americans,  and  closer  intercourse,  es- 
pecially among  the  women  and  children,  will  go  far  towards  bringing 
about  a better  understanding.  A better  use  of  savings  could  be  made 
by  means  of  credit  associations,  and  opening  public  halls  and  libraries 
for  the  common  benefit  will  do  much  toward  mental  and  moral  im- 
provement. Every  effort  must  be  made  to  cast  off  the  old  undesirable 
customs  and  to  adapt  themselves  to  the  new  environment,  so  far  as  it 
is  required  by  decency  and  courtesy. 

Secondly,  the  people  in  Japan  itself  ought  to  go  more  thoroughly 
into  the  real  aspect  of  things,  not  forgetting  that  a question  of  this 
kind  requires  a great  deal  of  patience  and  careful  consideration.  To 
move  a country  which  is  really  governed  by  the  people,  the  movement 
must  come  from  the  people  rather  than  the  government  and  so  long 
as  the  people  of  the  two  countries  understand,  respect  and  trust  each 
other,  there  is  no  need  of  being  pessimistic  about  the  future. 

FIFTH : We  are  told  it  is  only  a question  of  time  and  nothing 

very'  deep  rooted.  Other  immigrants  were  disliked  in  the  same  way 
and  even  now  some  races  are  socially  excluded.  As  time  goes  on,  all 
will  be  well  and  it  is  better  to  wait  and  be  patient.  If  we  can  believe 
this,  and  nothing  intervenes,  well  and  good.  However,  we  must  do 
whatever  we  can  to  hasten  such  a time  by  means  of  “Campaigns  of 
Education”  along  permanent  and  broad  lines  with  the  aim  to  enlighten 
the  public  opinion  net  only  in  the  two  countries  concerned  but  all  the 
world  over,  paying  special  attention  to  the  amelioration  of  the  Japanese 
abroad. 


13 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Mission  of  America  and  Japan. 

Although  there  is  some  talk  of  war  among  irresponsible  persons  in 
both  countries,  yet  a question  of  this  nature  cannot  be  settled  by  fight- 
ing, as  no  trace  of  enmity  must  be  left  after  the  permanent  and 
fundamental  solution  of  such  a question.  Moreover,  there  are  other 
points  not  to  be  overlooked,  to  say  nothing  of  the  American  Japanese 
commerce  which  is  already  so  large  ana  will  be  sure  to  increase  as 
time  goes  on.  There  are  still  higher  and  greater  problems  for  the  two 
countries.  Peace  on  the  Pacific,  the  bringing  together  of  the  East 
and  the  West,  and  the  harmony  between  different  races,  such  are  the 
important  questions  that  lie  before  them.  Historically,  constitutionally 
and  geographically,  the  United  States  is  in  a position  to  take  the  lead 
in  the  noble  work  of  guarding  the  peace  of  the  world  and  of  bringing 
together  the  different  races,  which  if  brought  into  conflict  might  lead 
to  the  greatest  calamity  that  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  man. 

Japan  will  be  glad  to  act  in  union  with  the  United  States,  so  long 
as  the  great  Republic  walks  in  the  path  of  peace,  justice  and  humanity; 
and  as  Japan’s  example  is  followed  by  other  Oriental  nations,  while 
the  two  countries  work  together  for  the  noble  cause,  the  East  and  the 
West  will  be  united  and  kept  in  harmony.  If  the  United  States  goes 
in  for  warlike  preparations,  like  the  rest  of  the  European  nations 
have,  the  natural  advantage  of  her  position  making  her  unassailable 
from  the  outside,  is  lost  to  her,  and  the  tendency  is  that  such  prepara- 
tions would  some  day  be  used  for  aggressive  purposes.  Other  nations 
must  be  on  the  lookout  for  her  and  the  world’s  peace  would  be  in 
danger,  and  the  people  of  all  nations  would  have  to  groan  more  and 
more  under  heavy  and  destructive  burdens,  only  to  swell  the  pocket- 
books  of  the  manufacturers  of  man-killing  instruments.  Is  il  not 
time  then  for  the  two  countries  to  understand  each  other  better,  and 
to  do  away  with  suspicious  and  malicious  misunderstandings,  settling 
at  once  all  small  differences  and  working  hand  in  hand  for  the  higher 
and  nobler  missions  that  are  left  to  their  united  efforts?  It  may  also 
be  well  that  the  two  countries  enter  into  some  union  on  a broader 
basis  for  the  assurance  of  peace  and  the  furtherance  of  civilization, 
thereby  wiping  out  all  local  and  temporary  differences. 


14 


CHAPTER  V. 

Lessons  Obtained. 

FIRST:  Japan,  which  was  once  petted  like  a child  by  the  Ameri- 
can people,  is  now  unduly  feared  and  even  disliked  by  some  as  she 
grows  up.  But  by  the  deeper  study  and  better  understanding  of 
Japan,  which  was  necessitated  by  the  California  question,  the  American 
public  will  know  more  of  her  neighbor,  and  it  lies  with  America  to 
judge  who  of  all  nations  of  the  world  is  her  best  friend.  *The  nation 
must  be  awakened  to  the  serious  consequences  if  the  matter  is  not 
promptly  and  satisfactorily  settled  by  the  higher  sense  of  fairness  and 
a square  deal.  It  is  feared  by  some  that  Japan,  pushing  forward 
commercially,  especially  in  China,  might  compete  with  the  United 
States.  This  argument  is  unfounded,  because  there  are  vast  fields 
and  ample  room  for  all  in  the  Eastern  markets,  and  in  many  cases 
Japan  can  be  a co-operator  and  not  a competitor  of  America.  More- 
over, commerce  is  not  the  only  tiling  we  must  look  to,  for  nations 
calling  themselves  civilized  or  advanced,  must  be  guided  by  something 
still  broader,  higher  and  nobler. 

SECOND : As  to  Japan  herself,  she  must  have  found  out  that 

the  problem  of  emigration  of  her  people  was  too  much  disregarded 
until  now.  More  care  and  attention  must  be  paid  to  the  general 
education  and  training  of  her  people  while  at  home,  fitting  them  to 
lead  successful  and  happy  lives  when  they  go  abroad.  In  order  to 
keep  the  gates  opened  for  Japanese  immigrants  abroad,  they  must  be 
well  equipped  physically  and  morally. 

THIRD : It  is  a matter  of  congratulation  that  the  Japanese  in 

America  are  now  thoroughly  awakened  to  the  need  of  their  own 
improvement  in  all  directions  and  it  is  to  be  commended  that  they  have 
kept  order  perfectly,  laying  full  trust  in  the  two  governments  so  far. 
Such  acts  as  the  repulsion  of  the  Koreans  at  Hemmet  might  easily 
have  called  forth  retaliation  if  it  were  not  for  the  strong  self-control 
exercised  by  the  Japanese.  However,  there  is  a limit  to  patience  and 
forbearance.  The  position  of  the  Japanese  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  there- 
fore, is  worthy  of  sympathy  and  praise.  To  sum  up,  if  this  unhappy 
event  creates  a better  understanding  of  the  Japanese  among  the  people 
of  the  great  Republic,  and  if  by  it  the  people  in  Japan  and  the  States 
strive  more  for  better  living  and  thinking,  good  will  come  from  evil 
and  the  wrong  will  be  righted  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  the  two 
countries  and  their  people. 


15 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Future  Forecast. 

If,  contrary  to  her  traditional  faithfulness  to  justice  and  humanity, 
contrary  to  the  high  and  noble  principles  laid  down  by  her  illustrious 
forefathers,  and,  above  all,  contrary  to  the  teaching  of  the  Christian 
faith,  the  great  Republic  of  the  United  States  of  America  is  going  in 
for  militant  imperialism,  and  some  of  her  statesmen  are  looking  for- 
ward to  worldly  ambitions  and  territorial  aggrandizement,  and  are 
even  ready  to  kindle  the  fire  of  race  hatred  and  world-wide  consterna- 
tion, then  what  would  be  the  disappointment  of  her  trusting  friend  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Pacific,  and  with  it  that  of  the  teeming  popula- 
tions of  the  Orient? 

Such  a change  in  her  national  policy  may  perhaps  give  satisfaction 
to  some  powers  who  want  to  reap  benefits  while  others  are  quarreling; 
hut  what  would  it  mean  to  the  peace  of  the  world,  to  the  harmony 
among  the  races,  and  to  the  welfare  of  mankind?  Perchance,  if  such 
be  the  goal  and  aspiration  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Japan 
and  other  nations  of  the  world  will  have  to  change,  fundamentally, 
their  ideas  about  her.  However,  let  us  pray  that  there  be  no  occasion 
for  such  a fear,  and  may  all  nations  be  encouraged  to  walk  forever 
in  the  path  of  peace  and  civilization,  by  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the 
true  American  spirit  and  by  the  universal  prevalence  of  justice  and 
humanity. 


San  Francisco,  August  G,  1913. 


16 


